Dala Dreams

My visits to Sweden always include buying one of the traditional Dala (short for Dalecarlian) horses. Painted from little wooden carvings, these creations go back for generations, at least 150 years, and are now widely symbolic of the country. Historically, there were probably made as toys, but were also used as kind of a currency in some rural areas. I love the painted details. They come in many colors, but red seems to be most popular.

I have our Dala horses situated on our front room window sill. Last week on a foggy morning, I felt the larger Dala almost peering out wistfully down the street, thinking of his homeland perhaps. I did a small basic scratch of one to color later...

Göteborg, red, blue and grey

Returning from a trip to Göteborg, Sweden, I compile the colors of this city. 

Blue for the sea and sky. 

Red for the sturdy buildings and bastions of brick (red, also, for the mirth of the people). 

Grey for the cobbled streets and water vessels.  

Pale yellow for treasured light.

A lovely city with its face to the ocean winds. I enjoyed my time in its streets. 

And now to draw.